Phil,
First of all, I didn't VOLUNTEER for anything. Matt is putting together a new booking agency with several new venues, and needed me to help him kick them off and get a good response for the venues. I took this many gigs because we needed to make the trip pay for itself. The only thing I didn't do is TURN things down. I don't normally do that, but am going to have to start. Everything has gotten progressively bad over the years. It's like an athlete that goes too long in their sport and end up with lifelong health problems. Some of that is what is going on. I've been pretty healthy over the years so this is the one that is probably catching up with me.
As far as the "horn band", yes, I do sing with it. We actually played our first show last week. In a Church. But with 11 people and over 70 schedules involved, the chance of it ever becoming more than a once in a lifetime type deal, is not very good. This is just going to be an occassional get together, not a regular gig. There is no physical way to do that.
The trip has had it's ups and downs and I'm glad I did it, although I will probably never do this amount of shows again. Just don't have the physical abilities for it. The old MAB is wearing down and it is inevitable. You have to remember that I am 57 years old in a business that considers you a DINOSAUR at 28. The majority of anyone else from my groups of people are long out of the business, health issues or DEAD. So this is natural evolution, or natural selection if you will. It happens. You go for a while, then turn it over to other people.
The trip has been fine, Matt worked his butt off. have seen a lot of Boston and related areas. Today I had a one on one and co-write, then did the last show about two hours away. It was the same place I started in, called THE RIVERSHED. Was good people but VERY LOUD. That is the common thread in all these places up here. the "listening room" just doesn't exist. So it has been a fight to the last moment in every show. Haven't done that hard playing or singing in years. I don't relish doing it. I have about 30% voice left and my hand is simply a mess.
So you will probably be taking my place on the Birthday show Phil. Good luck.
In the morning I will be headed ten minutes down the road here to visit the LEXINGTON/CONCORD BATTLEFIELD. It is where the AMERICAN REVOLUTION began. If you don't ever hear from me again, remember what they say in New Hampshire, LIVE FREE OR DIE!!!!
MAB
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